TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
China congratulates Syria's Assad on reelection
Although criticized by the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Britain, the Syrian leader continues to enjoy strong support from China.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian packs up his notes after speaking at the daily media briefing in Beijing on April 8, 2020. (Agence France Presse/Greg Baker)
C
hina on Friday congratulated Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for winning a fourth term in an election which opponents and the West say was marred by fraud.
Although criticized by the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Britain, the Syrian leader continues to enjoy strong support from China.
The Syrian parliament announced on Thursday that Assad won Wednesday's election with over 95 percent of the votes.
"China and Syria are traditional good friends," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday, as he extended the Asian giant's well-wishes to Assad.
"China firmly supports Syria in its safeguarding of its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," he added.
Assad's years as president have been defined by a decade-old conflict which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven 11 million people - about half the population - from their homes.
